REVIEW: GRACE (Theatre / Comedy)

British comedian-actress, Katie Reddin-Clancy performed an introspective one-woman show at the Tuxedo Cat. Reddin-Clancy cleverly morphed between various characters as she explored issues of identity, gender, and love.

Katie Reddin-Clancy. Photo supplied.

As I entered the room, Reddin-Clancy was already on stage, dancing. She then transformed into the very prim and proper theatre manager, Sheryl, to introduce the show.

Immediately, I had the impression that I was witnessing a witty and personable actress. The combination of enunciation and her intense gaze were intriguing.

Notions of fame and life choices resonated with me as she touched on feminist concerns relating to Madonna, Disney princesses, and Barbie.

There were some references in her comedy that were lost on the audience but other genuinely funny moments outshone these. Looking around the room, I could see that patrons were entertained by Reddin-Clancy’s talent. Some costume changes took longer than others and were enough to distract me from the flow of the overall performance. Regardless, this actress was very dynamic and committed to every scene which made for an enjoyable experience. Her scene as Anna, the theatrical agent was most enjoyable.

The storyline was somewhat confusing to follow, however, the performance notes provided more context. Nevertheless, some segments had profound statements in them, particularly when she performed the role of Zora in a blonde wig.

This work was partly inspired by one of Reddin-Clancy’s friends who came out as transgender. “So how do you find yourself?” was often a question that Reddin-Clancy explored as she delivered commentary on the shelf life of an actress and the challenges of choosing the arts as a career.

Reddin-Clancy has a charismatic presence on stage and transitioning to and from characters is an arduous task to keep up for an hour. Some of her characters were more engaging than others but the contrast worked well and showcased her versatility and experience as an actress.